Coolant loss problem
#1
Coolant loss problem
I have a 2001 ford ranger 3.0L v6
i have replaced the radiator , all coolant hoses, water pump and clamps
i have a leak that looks near to the thermostat housing but i know its not the connection of the upper radiator hose connection and the bottom of the housing
i have a smell of exhaust fumes in the radiator
no overheating
brown gunk in the brand new radiator
mysterious coolant lose
topping off radiator every morning with the amount of one water bottle or more as a reference of how much its losing
has overheated before water pump was changed
need help figuring out what this could be
i have replaced the radiator , all coolant hoses, water pump and clamps
i have a leak that looks near to the thermostat housing but i know its not the connection of the upper radiator hose connection and the bottom of the housing
i have a smell of exhaust fumes in the radiator
no overheating
brown gunk in the brand new radiator
mysterious coolant lose
topping off radiator every morning with the amount of one water bottle or more as a reference of how much its losing
has overheated before water pump was changed
need help figuring out what this could be
#3
If you're smelling exhaust fumes in the rad and it's been over-heated before, then logically the head has warped allowing coolant to come in contact with the combustion chamber.
You may get away with a new head gasket, but the head(s) may have warped more the .004 thousands of an inch.
That's my assessment, it could be right or wrong.
Have a look at your spark plugs, one or more of them may be cleaner then the others. The coolant entering the combustion chamber has the effect of cleaning any carbon of the plugs.
If you can see coolant near the thermostat housing then maybe your lower intake manifold is leaking coolant from there.
But that would not explain the smell of exhaust in the rad.
Another scenario could be a cracked head. A small crack could allow just enough coolant to escape into one of the exhaust ports in the head. Should be some steam coming out of the exhaust if this is the case. Depends upon how big the crack is, assuming there is one.
Hard to say...
You may get away with a new head gasket, but the head(s) may have warped more the .004 thousands of an inch.
That's my assessment, it could be right or wrong.
Have a look at your spark plugs, one or more of them may be cleaner then the others. The coolant entering the combustion chamber has the effect of cleaning any carbon of the plugs.
If you can see coolant near the thermostat housing then maybe your lower intake manifold is leaking coolant from there.
But that would not explain the smell of exhaust in the rad.
Another scenario could be a cracked head. A small crack could allow just enough coolant to escape into one of the exhaust ports in the head. Should be some steam coming out of the exhaust if this is the case. Depends upon how big the crack is, assuming there is one.
Hard to say...
Last edited by Jeff R 1; 09-12-2016 at 12:47 PM.
#5
This is just a forum, and I'm just one opinion.
Don't jump the gun from what I said for an expensive repair.
There are others here that may post, so give it a few days.
Even then if you do the work your self, you can get reconditioned heads from Rock Auto, with or with out valves and they're not that badly priced.
If there is no money, then you're stuck no matter what.
Give it a bit of time for others to post, but based on what you said, this is my diagnosis.
Don't jump the gun from what I said for an expensive repair.
There are others here that may post, so give it a few days.
Even then if you do the work your self, you can get reconditioned heads from Rock Auto, with or with out valves and they're not that badly priced.
If there is no money, then you're stuck no matter what.
Give it a bit of time for others to post, but based on what you said, this is my diagnosis.
#6
pull your spark plugs and do a compression test, it sounds like a head, or head gasket problem, post results
like ron said if no money then what, a head gasket is around $7 plus shipping, you can do this in a weekend with some beers lol
i just got a head from the rock auto for $190 plus shipping and you will need the other gaskets and head bolts to.
do you compression test and post results, we can help from there
just look at all your options first
like ron said if no money then what, a head gasket is around $7 plus shipping, you can do this in a weekend with some beers lol
i just got a head from the rock auto for $190 plus shipping and you will need the other gaskets and head bolts to.
do you compression test and post results, we can help from there
just look at all your options first
Last edited by kobin; 09-16-2016 at 07:52 PM.
#7
I wasn't able to get the compression check done yet but I have updates
I just changed the oil and nothing was in it to spot coolant getting in
I also found a visible leak by the valve cover
Any thoughts?
I just changed the oil and nothing was in it to spot coolant getting in
I also found a visible leak by the valve cover
Any thoughts?
pull your spark plugs and do a compression test, it sounds like a head, or head gasket problem, post results
like ron said if no money then what, a head gasket is around $7 plus shipping, you can do this in a weekend with some beers lol
i just got a head from the rock auto for $190 plus shipping and you will need the other gaskets and head bolts to.
do you compression test and post results, we can help from there
just look at all your options first
like ron said if no money then what, a head gasket is around $7 plus shipping, you can do this in a weekend with some beers lol
i just got a head from the rock auto for $190 plus shipping and you will need the other gaskets and head bolts to.
do you compression test and post results, we can help from there
just look at all your options first
#8
#9
#10
#11
not necessarily will it over heat again with a cracked head/ blown head gasket, same with oil and antifreeze mixing. in your case sounds like a bad gasket. how did the spark plugs look as jeff suggested? that would help in showing which side or both are having issues. the tips of the plugs should be light brownish
#12
They are all a light brown color about the same shade
not necessarily will it over heat again with a cracked head/ blown head gasket, same with oil and antifreeze mixing. in your case sounds like a bad gasket. how did the spark plugs look as jeff suggested? that would help in showing which side or both are having issues. the tips of the plugs should be light brownish
#13
#14
#15
gasket set from rock auto
HS9902PT4 $71.79 plus shipping (all gaskets including both head gaskets plus some gaskets and seals you wont use)
head bolts
GS33359 $9.96 x2 = $19.92 (one set for each side) plus shipping
and if needed (but check with your local engine machine shops first on price they may be able to rebuild it cheaper or get one cheaper)
head
2FW4 $262.89 each plus shipping
this was as of a few minutes ago on rock auto
HS9902PT4 $71.79 plus shipping (all gaskets including both head gaskets plus some gaskets and seals you wont use)
head bolts
GS33359 $9.96 x2 = $19.92 (one set for each side) plus shipping
and if needed (but check with your local engine machine shops first on price they may be able to rebuild it cheaper or get one cheaper)
head
2FW4 $262.89 each plus shipping
this was as of a few minutes ago on rock auto
#16
Actually I don't smell it I think it was just me smellling the exhaust because I had the truck running when I stuck my nose by it
The coolant is still clean
I've flushed it plenty of times and ran to make sure I'm not crazy
It's clean so i must have been smelling it just running
The coolant is still clean
I've flushed it plenty of times and ran to make sure I'm not crazy
It's clean so i must have been smelling it just running
gasket set from rock auto
HS9902PT4 $71.79 plus shipping (all gaskets including both head gaskets plus some gaskets and seals you wont use)
head bolts
GS33359 $9.96 x2 = $19.92 (one set for each side) plus shipping
and if needed (but check with your local engine machine shops first on price they may be able to rebuild it cheaper or get one cheaper)
head
2FW4 $262.89 each plus shipping
this was as of a few minutes ago on rock auto
HS9902PT4 $71.79 plus shipping (all gaskets including both head gaskets plus some gaskets and seals you wont use)
head bolts
GS33359 $9.96 x2 = $19.92 (one set for each side) plus shipping
and if needed (but check with your local engine machine shops first on price they may be able to rebuild it cheaper or get one cheaper)
head
2FW4 $262.89 each plus shipping
this was as of a few minutes ago on rock auto
#17
No bubbles either in the overflow tank while running which leads me to believe it may not be getting in
Actually I don't smell it I think it was just me smellling the exhaust because I had the truck running when I stuck my nose by it
The coolant is still clean
I've flushed it plenty of times and ran to make sure I'm not crazy
It's clean so i must have been smelling it just running
The coolant is still clean
I've flushed it plenty of times and ran to make sure I'm not crazy
It's clean so i must have been smelling it just running
#18
#19
another quick cheap test is the "glove test" disconnect your coil pack , then disconnect the overflow tube on radiator. take off radiator cap and tape a thin rubber glove over both, then crank engine and watch glove, no movement is good, if it inflates /jumps thats bad
Last edited by kobin; 09-21-2016 at 06:42 PM.
#22
Counting the lucky stars that it's the gasket between the Intake and head that is bad
Producing a physical leak
About to get it fixed will update when finished if anything else pops up thanks for the help
Producing a physical leak
About to get it fixed will update when finished if anything else pops up thanks for the help
#24
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